Accelerator for dry-pipe sprinkler systems



March 13, 1928;

E. TYDEN I ACCELERATOR FOR DRY PIPE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS Filed Aug 23. 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 7 0 w 11 1 rm W 7 w w E w TA FAQ/,1 t

March 13, 1928.-

E. TYDEN ACCELERATOR FOR DRY PIPE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS Filed Aug. 23. 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 was;

Patented Mar. 13, 1928.

EMIL TYDEN, OF EVANSTON, ILLINOIS.

ACCELERATOR FOR DRY-PIPE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS.

Application filed August 23, 1924. Serial No. 733,667.

The purpose of this invention is to provide an improved construction in a device of the nature of an accelerator for the action of the valve of a dry pipe sprinkler system. It consists in the elements and features of construction shown and described asindicated in the claims.

In the drawings:

Figure l is an elevation of the main valve of a dry pipe sprinkler system and the initial section of its dischargepipe equipped with an accelerator device embodying this invention.

Figure 2 is a section through the accelerator at the line 2--2 on Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail of a portion of the device shownin Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail of another portion of the device shown in Figure 2.

Figure '5 is an enlarged detail of a third portion of the structure shown in Figure all said enlarged details being sections in the same plane as Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a section at the line 6- 6 on Figure 2 on an enlarged scale. I v

Figure 7 is a detail sectional view showing a modification of the feature shownin Figure 4.

Figure 8 is an axial section'of a fitting interposed in the connection from the air pressure region of the system to the atmospheric pressure chamber of the main valve.

The structure shown in the drawings comprises the main valve of adry pipe sprinkler system of which the body or, casing is shown at A, the main valve at B seating on two seats, (6 and (H, for allording differential pressure areas for the pressures operating on the said valve and providing an interseat chamber. a which in the usual and familiar construction of this type of devices is normally under atmospheric pressure. The type and mode of action of this device as to the accelerating features consists in that there is provision for admitting to the interseat or atmospheric pressure chamber pressure from the air pressure region of the system upon fall of pressure in said region which may result from the opening of the sprinkler head, the admission of said pressure to the inter-seat chamber having the eftectof opening the main valve promptly as soon as such fall of pressure occurs from the cause mentioned which makes it important that the water should arrive quickly at the,

open sprinkler head. The pressure from the air pressure region ofthe system is led to the interseat or atmospheric pressure. chamber by way of the pipe, 1, which leads from the upper portion of the valve body (which is in the air pressure region) by Way of the accelerator device, D, to which the pipe, 1, leads, and'the pipe, 2, which leads from the accelerator device to a fittinggd, and the pipe, 3, from said fitting opening into the inter-scat chamber as seen at 4;.

The fitting, 4, incidentally accommodates described, by way of passages, 12 and 13, in V said casing branching from an initial duct or port, 14, which is connected withand forms a part of the passage through a valve fitting member, E, more particularlyhereinaftcr described in respect to its passages, valve seats and valves. The chambers, 10

and 11, at the side of the casing, D, opposite the valve fitting, E, have each an aperture in the outer wall, the aperture in the wall of the chamber, 10, being a small one shown at 15. that in the chamber 11, being a large one shown at 16, and upon this outer wall of the casing, D, there is applied a cap, F, having in its applied face a large cavity, 17 with its large aperture registering with the aperture,16, in the wall of the chamber, 11, and having-a small aperture, 18, registering with the aperture, 15, in the wall of the chamber, 10. A duct, 19, connects the cavity, 17, with the aperture, 18. In the cavity,

'17, there is mounted a diaphragm casing comprising two members, .20 and 21, between whlch a flexible d1aphragm, 22, is clamped by its periphery; The diaphragm casing member, 21, has apertures, 223101" communication of the diaphragm chamber at one side of the diaphragm through the duct, 19, with the chamber, 10, and the dia phragm casing member, 20, has apertures, 20, for communication of the diaphragm chamber at the other side of the diaphragm with the chamber, 11. It will be seen that the diaphragm, .22. constitutes in effect an imperforate partition separating the two chambers, 10 and 11, so far as air communication between them is concerned, but; subject; to the comnulnication of pressure from the one to the other b v virtue of the pres sures which reach the opposite sides of the diaphragm through the respective apertured diaphragm casing members. in the diaphragm casing at the side toward the chainber, 11. there is mounted a plunger, 24, having an expanded head. 25. for seating on the diaphragm. the plunger itsel't obtaining bearing and guidance in a. bearing. 20", with which the diaphragm casing member. 20, is provided at its center projecting into the chamber, 11. The end of the plunger protrudes from said bearing for encounter with the inner end of an operating member, 30, which as hereinafter more particularl described. extends air-tight through the wall of the chamber. 11, to? a function hereinafter more particularly explained.

The valve fitting. E, is cored and bored from end to end for m unting the valve seats and accommodating the valves and forming the passages which will now be dcscribcd. Into the upper end of the fitting which is bored and counter-bored and interiorlv threaded tor the purpose. there is inserted a sleeve. 31.. having atlange. 32. stopped upon the shoulder. ot the valve litting. E. which is formed by counter-boring for that purpose. the sleeve being threaded below the shoulder and screwed into the bore of the fitting. E. below said shoulder. The upper end of this sleeve is slightly reduced in diameter and the aperture through which it is inserted is closed by a hollow cap. 35. into whose cavity the upper reduced end of the sleeve. 31. protrudes with clearance around it tor tree passage of air. tor which purpose also lateral ports. 3 are provided. The lower end of the sleeve. 31. tamstitntes a seat "For a valve. 40. having a stem which extends up through the sleeveand obtains guidance in the upper end or head of the sleeve through which it extends loosely enough to allow tree passage for air independently of the ports. 31. a spring, 41. being provided coiled around the stem and reacting between the upper shoulder of the valve member and the head of the sleeve tor normally holding the valve downwardly oft its seat at the lower end of the sleeve and onto a seat. 43, which is formed around a. port, tel, in the fitting. E. The valve member, 4-0. it will be seen is thus in a chamber, 45. which is formed in the fitting between two seats at which said valve member seats alternatively. This chamber is most conveniently formed by boring the fitting laterally, the bore being closed at the outer end by a plug, 45. Below the seat, 43, there is formed in the fitting a second chamber, 46, hounded at its lower side by an annular partitioning boss 47, below which there is a valve seat, 48, for seating a valve, 50, whose stem. 51, extends up through the aperture in said partitioning boss. 47. and across the chamber, 46, and through the port, 44, of" the valve seat. 43, for the lower side of the valve. 40. for encounter with the lower end of said valve, -10. the dimensions o t the parts being such that in the upward seating movement oi the stem for seating the valve, 50, said stem encounters the valve, -10, and carries it oli' its seat and onto the opposite seat at the lower end of the sleeve. 31. The pipe, 1. is connected to the fitting. 1. at the valve chamber. 4-5, as seen most clearly in Figure 6. From the valve chamber, 46. a. passage, 46. leads up at the opposite side of the valve chamber, 45. from that at which the pipe, 1, is connected for connection with the pipe, 2. which at that pointis connected to the litting. l t. for leading to the intcrseat; atmospheric pressure chamber, a

The purpose of certain details of the construction thus far described is to accommodate means for operating the double headed valve, 40, for its alternative seating, by means oi connections with the diaphragm. which means shall be accessible outside the casing or casings which enclose the various operating parts, in order that the operator or attendant may operate said valve at any time independently of the action of the diaphragm to test the condition of the parts and passages. For this purpose the stem. 51. ot the valve, 50, is connected by a link. 51". with the short end of a weighted lever. which is fulcrumed on a. bracket arm. 53. ot the casing. I). having its opposite end weighted for gravity movement in the direction to force the alve stem. 51. upward for seating the valve. 50, and unscating the valve. 10, from its lower seat and seat. ng it at its upper seat at. the lower end of the sleeve. 31. The weighted lever. 52, is constructed for being locked in upheld position holding the valve stem. 51. down and the valve. 50. unseated. and permitting the valve. 40. to be, seated at its lower seat. The mcans for this purpose. and for releasing it to permit it to operate by gravity for reversing the valve positions as described. comprise the operating member, 30. above mentioned. which is pivotally mounted in the lower wall of the chamber. 11, through which wall it protrudes and is rendered air-tight at its protrusion through the wall by means of a flexible sleeve. 60, whose upper end is clamped tightly about an cnlargcn'ient. til. 01 sa d operating member while. the lower end is similarly clamped about. the boss, 62. around the aperture through which the said operating member protrudes from the casing.

A convenient construction for this purpose is nee-2,250

that shown which consists of a plug, 65, which closes an aperture, 66, in the lower end wall of the chamber, 11, and which has at its upper inner side the boss, 62, mentioned upon which the lower end of the flexible sleeve, 60, is made fast, said plug, 65, being secured in possition closing the aperature, 66, by a screwed-in follower, 70. This follower, 70, is apertured to admit the upper forked end, 80, of a weighted bell crank lever, 81, said lever constituting a latch member having its latch-nose, 82, engaging the flange, 75, which is formed at the lower end of the follower, 70, by counter-boring its upper end portion. This bell crank lever is fulcrumed near its angle on the weighted lever, 52, and. has its horizontal arm quite heavily weighted as seen at 83 for effecting automatic engagement of the latch nose, 82, with the flange, 7 5, as described. Said end of the bell crank lever is engaged by the lower end of the operating member, 30, for disengagement of the latch nose by pivotal rocking of said operating member which occurs when its upper end is moved inward by the inward thrust ofthe plunger, 24, which results from the reduction of pressure in the chamber, 11,

consequent upon the reduction of pressure in the air pressure region of the sprinkler system which may be caused by the opening of the sprinkler head. Such reduction of pres sure, as already mentioned, occurs in the chamber, 11, immediately upon the opening of the sprinkler head, but is not experienced in the chamber, 10, because of the restricted communication between the two chambers due to the restriction which is afforded by a device, 90, shown in enlarged View in Fig. 4,, and in modified position in Fi 7, interposed in the passage, 12, leading to the chamber, 10. This device is itself not peculiar to this invention, being in a form which is quite familiar for like purposes, but which may be described, consisting of a sleeve, 91, counterbored from its opposite end to an annular boss, 92, against which there is seated at metering d sk 93, having a small aperture, 94. Into the opposite ends of the sleeve which is interiorly threaded there are screwed hollow plugs fitted at the inner end with strainers of finely perforated sheet metal or wire cloth for arresting solid matter which might otherwise clog the small aperture of the metering disk, 93.

The operation of this construction may be understood from the foregoing description to be as follows:

hen the dry pipe valve and its connections are set up in the usual manner to be in readiness for operation upon the opening of the sprinkler head, with the proper degree of air pressure in the air pressure region of the system beyond the main valve, the air pressure obtains access by way of the pipe, 1, to both chambers, 10 and 11, and such access occurring during the accumulation of pressure by the air-compressing means pressure is communicated through the metering disk, 93, to the chamber, 10,: as well as to the chamber, 11, through the free passage duct, 13; and pressure is thereby substantially equal upon both sides of the diaphragm, 22, cans ing both the diapl'iragm and the plunger, 24, to stand at normal position with respect to the chamber, 11, and to permit the operating member. 30, to stand in the position shown in Figure 2 in which it is normally held by the latch, 80, when the weighted lever, 52, isat latched position and in which it is also held normally by the flexible but normally straight tube, 60. At this position of the parts the valve, 50, iswithdrawn from its seat and the valve, 40, is seated at its lower seat, 43, and unseated from its upper seat, 31 so that the pressure .t'ronrthe air pressure region of the system enters freely the fitting, E, and passing into the sleeve, 31. and out through the ports, .31, thereof, reaches both the chambers throughthe passages, 12 and 13,'and

'the metering device, 90, asdescribedJ. Upon reduction of pressure in the air pressureregion such reduction is experienced promptly in thechainber, 11, but not promptly in the chamber, 10; and before such diminution of pressure is experienced effectively in the chamber, 10, the original full pressure in that chamber operates to flex the diaphragm in the direction for thrusting the,

plunger, 24, inwardly with respect to the chamber, 11, and against the uper end of the operating member, 30, causing this lower end to disengage the latch nose, 80, from the flange, 75, thereby releasing the weighted lever, 52, which falls and by its opposite end thrusting upwardly the valve stem, 51, seats the valve. 50, and unseats the'va'lve, 40, from its lower seat and sin'iultaneously seats it at .its upper seat. This movement of the double headed valve, 40, opens communica tion through the pipes, 2 and 3,-to the interseat or atmospheric pressure chamber of the main valve.- and at the same time cuts off the access of said pressure to the chambers, 10 and 11. The admission of the air pressure under the main valve causes it to be completely opened without delay, for ad: mitting'the water to the sprinkler system, The seating of the valve, 40, at its upper seat cutting off communication from the sprinkler system to the casing, D, and both the chambers, 10 and 11, thereof, prevents the admission of water to the casing or any of the passagesthereot and thereby obviates one of the inconveniences which has been experienced in the use of similar devices heretofore, resulting from the fact that the water which having entered these passages from and tends to cause deterioration by rusting tlllt'l otherwise antl frequently causes clogging of the passages h v solitl matter carl'ictl in by the water: and this is the primary purpose. ol the feature ol the r :onstruetion tlescrihetl col'isistingr in means for seating the valve. 40, to cut oil the pressure communic' tion with the casing when it is unaeatetl to open pressure co]nmunieation to the interseat atmospheric chamber ot the main 'alve.

its lltltttl ahovei antl ass seen in lliggure 't, the pressure convevetl through the pipe. 2, reaches the inter-seat. or atmospheric pressure hamher, 0. ol the lnain valve by way of th tlraina pipe. 3, which leatls 't'roin saitl itlitl'rttth chamher tor draining the water theret'roin into the tll'tllll connections seen at 3-. And it will he ohvious that the etl'ective transmission ot saitl pressure to the intersteat chainher. 1/. requires: the closing oi colnmuni -ation ol the pipe. I). with the drain. which is at atmospheric pres nre. etl'ectetl by providing in the fitting. l. ahove lnentionetl. by which the piptu 2. makes connection with the pipe. I

v). a chamher aavingz in athlition to connectione with pipes. 2 antl 3, an outlet to the (train. as eeen at -l-' antl mounting in Sttltl titlinga valve. -1 carrietl h v a lever. t, tulcrumetl {or carrying the valve hetween the upper seat at 4''. and the lower seat at the tlrain port. seitt l ver hein cotmterweie'hl etl as aeen at 1-, for seat:- inp; the valve normally at said upper scan t'rom which it will he forced h v the air pressure transmittetl through the pipe. 21. to the lower seat for closing the lrain port. 4,.

The lllOtllllQtl construction shown in Figure 7. wherein the restricting device is shown locateil in a return heml pipe assembly leatlin; out ol antl each into the casingfor connecting the two chaml'iers. l atul ll. ttll fll'tlfi acilitv for access to the restricting tlevice or an v attention whicn it may require, antl at the same time otl'ers the turther advantage that the nipple containing the metering tlislt, 95X may he kept thoroughly tlr v antl the acetnnulation of moisture which wouhl tentl to rust the tlislt aml clog the metering: apen ture. eventually stopping it up tttltl tle't airing the function. heing prevented lrv mounting in heating proxnnitv to saitl nipple an v convenient means 'l'or keeping it warm, as an electric light hnlh llltltttlit"i at Hi.

It will re observed that the valve seat. 43. to! the valve. :l'il. is loeatetl in the chainlier, 17. helow the level ol hoth the inlet aml out let connect-ion ol that chamher with the pressure region of the system ainl with the atmosphere pressure chamher ol' the main valve respta'tively. The purpose ot this ar rangenient is to form a water rap in which the valve seat. 43, is siluateil.

'lhis trap hcroinea tilletl with water when the main valve is initially openetl t'or tltllllitting water to the system, while the *alve, 40,

is seated at; its upper seat, 31", and the valve,

fit]. is re: lttl at 4%: coneequentlv when the reverse, nniveinent occurs for eeatinp' the valve, ll at its: lower I'Hillsai l valve reaches that seat through the water so that the valve aml seat are water s'ealctl when the seating oc curs.

1. ln c-nnhination with a tll"\' pipe sprinkler system aml main valve thereot' construetetl for exposing tlitl'erential areas to the air pre.-=sures: respia'tivelv ainl iaving tor that purpose at the water inlet siile a chainher in which the pressure is: normally sohstantiallv atmospheric :1 ansage hailing trom the air pressure region of the system to eaitl chamber; an expansihle aml retlueihle tlevieez means t 'ansmittino air pre snre from aaitt region of the :gvstetn to (lillerent areas ol' a movahle wall of Hlitl device in opposition to each other for determining; a niovcot' the movahle wail h v the luminance the pressure on one of saitl areas over Eng; two pas e; all rtliue unequal access 'l'or sait'i Pl'trFtil'l' to 'nitl areas, respectively; two valve seats at which respectively the ac ccof pressure from the air pressure region or the system to the atnnupheric pressure chamher amt to saitl areas of the expansihlo nl reilucihle (levice is: controlletl; valve cans positionetl lor moving hetween saitl w kttltrw' anti connections operatctl h v the moving wall (it saitl tlevice for shifting saitl valve means jt'roin one to the other ol saitl seats.

2. ln eoinhination with a tlr v pipe sprinltler ltI]] and a main valve lhcrcot constructed, tor exposure of tlill'ercntial ar asl to the air pressm'es; respectively. ainl having tor that purpose at the water inlet siilc. a chamher in which the pressure is normally suhstantiall v atmospheric: a parsage leatling from the air presrur region ol' the s vrtem t 5: ill chamher: an expansihle antl l'ttllltflllltl tlevice and a casin; in which it is enclosed having: a wall movahlc for such expansion anrl lttlllt'tltllll means transmittine air pres;- sures onto tllti'ercnt arcanol' sai l movahle wall in opposition to each other for determining a movenn-nt ol' saitl wall h v the tlominance ol' the pressure upon one of saitil areas over that upon the other area, the wall of the casing having passages ol' tlill'erem llow capacit v leatling to saiil tlillcrent arezu: ol' the movahle wall ot' saiil levice. Silitl passages being hrancherl l'rom a passage in common which c nstitutes the connection with the air pressure region of the system, aitl passage-in-connnon comprising a valve chamhcr itlltl tw valve seats: therein at ports ol' connnunication l'or air pressure access to eaitl thea re-ilecoininon anrl to the atmosphcric pre sure rhainher of the main valve; a valve tor controlling alternatively the two pressure accesses, saitl valve being; mounted Hit) tilt! lIlO atmospheric; a passage leading from the air pressure region of the system to said chamher; an expansible and reducible device exposed to the air pressure from said region reaching different areas of the movable Wall of said device in opposition to each other through two passages affording unequal access of the pressure to said two areas respectively; a casing in which said expansible and reducible device is contained and in which the two passages to its movable wall are formed having for a portion of the passage which affords the more restricted access for the air pressure a pipe leading out from and back into the casing; a flow-restricting device in the portion of said fitting between its two connections with the casing and heating means positioned proximate to said portion which is outside the casing for warming and thereby preventing accumulation of moisture in said flow-restricting device.

4. In combination with a dry pipe sprinkler system and the main valve device thereof constructed for exposing differential areas to the water and air pressures respectively;

a chamber in which the pressure is normally atmospheric; a passage leadlng from the air pressure region of the system to said chamher; an expansible and reducible device exposed to the air pressure from said region reaching different areasof the movable wall of said device in opposition to each other through two passages and affording unequal access of the pressure to said two areas respectively; a casing in which said expansible and reducible device is contained; a valve which controls access of the air pressure to the atmospheric pressure chamber; connections from the moving wall of the expansible and reducible device for operating said valve for opening it comprising a weighted lever outside the casing connected with said last mentioned valve; latching means for upholding the lever in position for holding said valve closed; an operating member extending airtight through the casing Wall from a point inside the casing at which it is exposed to actuation by the movement of of August, 1924.

the moving wall of said expansible and reducible device to a position outside said wall for engaging the latch for releasing the weighted lever upon movement of said moving wall outof normal position, the latch being weighted for its latching movement in the direction in which that movement actuates the operating member for forcing said moving wall back to normal position, and

adequately for so forcing it.

5. A device for cooperation with a dry pipe sprinkler system and the main valve thereof comprising a casing, an expansible and. reducible element in the casing and a valve for controlling the communication of the air aressure re ion with the atmos heric pressure chamber of the main valve, a weighted lever outside the casing and mechanical connections therefrom for opening said valve by the g 'avity movement of the lover; a latch for engaging the lever with the using to uphold the lever; an operating member extending air-tight through the wall of the casing and operatively related at its part inside the casing with the moving'wall of the expansible and reducible device for being moved by the movement of the latter away from normal position, and at its part outside the casing operatively related to the latch for releasing the latter by the said movement of said operating member, the latch being mounted on the weighted lever andreleasably engaging the casing to uphold thelever and permit it to drop upon being released from the casing.

6. In the construction defined in claim 5,

7. In an accelerating device for a dry pipe sprinkler, system and'the like, a valve which controls access of air pressure from the system to the main valve for accelerating the opening of the latter; a chamber in which said first mentionedvalve obtains its seat, the chamber extending below sald seat and having outlet to the main valve at a point wholly above the level of the seat, whereby there is formed a trap for water to seal the valve and its seat. 7

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at Chicago, Illinois, this 21st day EMIL TYDEN, 

